It’s a fact that many of the most common signs of skin aging are caused by volume loss. And when your facial skin starts thinning out, lines can form in certain areas, causing you to look older than you really are. If this sounds like your situation, you can definitely consider dermal fillers. Let’s take a look and learn more.
What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable gels that act to restore lost facial volume, which helps smooth out wrinkles, volumize the lips, and provide a younger appearance. They are treatments that do not require invasive surgery – and all the associated costs and risks.
Most dermal fillers function by replacing natural substances produced by your own body. As you age, your body begins producing less of these important substances, and your skin begins to suffer and appear aged. Restoring higher levels of these skin-enhancing substances can help turn back the clock on aging skin by restoring volume and reducing the signs of fine lines and wrinkles.
Millions of patients have dermal filler treatments each year to rejuvenate their facial appearance and look younger. This is all performed without the need for expensive, risky surgery or lengthy downtimes. Two of the most common active ingredients in dermal fillers are hyaluraonic acid, and calcium hydroxylapatite. Both are effective for certain situations – here’s some background.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a substance your own body produces in larger quantities when you are young. As you age, your HA levels begin dropping and your reservoir breaks down more readily. Hyaluronic acid is important because it keeps your skin plump, hydrated and youthful looking. Dermal fillers containing this substance can restore your own HA levels and reverse this process, effectively adding volume and smoothing away fine lines and wrinkles.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite
Calcium hydroxylapatite is similar to hyaluronic acid, in that it is made by your own body and concentrated in your bones. When used as the key ingredient in a dermal filler, the material consists of tiny particles suspended within a smooth gel. This gel is a thicker than hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers and tends to last somewhat longer.
How Many Dermal Filler Treatments Will I Need?
Normally, one treatment with a dermal filler will be sufficient, depending on the exact product injected, as well as your personal aesthetic goals. However, repeat treatments are available as needed for ongoing benefits. In addition, some patients who are looking to address different aesthetic goals may sometimes require multiple injections of different dermal fillers. For example, if they are looking to augment their cheeks and also clear up fine lines near the mouth, they will require different dermal filler formulations to address those different areas.